Children to drive mini Range Rover at Eastbourne Hospital

New electric car at East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust SUS-150724-144226001

Published:14:53Friday 24 July 2015

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An electric car for children to drive to the operating theatre is being trialled at Eastbourne District General Hospital.

A spokesman for East Sussex Healthcare Trust, which runs the hospital, said: “The car is a fun and less stressful way to transport children, should they wish and are suitable to do so, from the children’s unit to the operating theatre rather on a trolley.”

Nicky Key, Theatre Recovery Nurse said: “The idea for the car came about as a result of a leadership project that I was involved with to implement a ‘positive change’.

“My aim was to significantly improve the experience for children when being admitted for planned surgery. There is evidence to suggest that by alleviating stress and anxiety pre-operatively, patients are more likely to recover quicker post-operatively.

“The car, a Range Rover Evoque 6v ride-on, is an exciting new way for children to travel to theatres.”

The car is aimed at children between two and eight years old, dependant on their size of and suitability, to use.

A spokesman for the trust added: “The concept of children driving to the operating theatre is not new. It has been successfully implemented by the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital in Brighton several years ago and received a very positive comments in their CQC report.”

The car which cost £159 was funded through donations made at a teddy bear’s picnic a few years ago.

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